Staff Biographies

Linda Waters

    President

As founder and president of Back to Business, Linda brings more than 20 years of business experience and has succeeded with many variations of flexible work arrangements.

What differentiates Linda in her field is that she has successfully lived "both sides" of the working Mom and stay-at-home divide.

While she understands the degree of family support and time management required to be a working Mom, and that change can be very challenging, she knows that it can be done successfully with the right focus, preparation and planning.

Linda guides her clients to clarity on what they want, and helps them build their strategies to reach their goals.

She is known for her intuitive style and her results-oriented approach. She has a passion for helping people develop the confidence they need to successfully step out of their "comfort zones" and make positive career and life changes.

Linda is a member of the NEHRA, the Women's Success Network, the United Chamber of Commerce, the International Coach Federation, National Association of Women Business Owners, and National Association of Professional Women.

She earned her BA in Psychology at the University of Vermont.

She has presented at the Boston College Center for Work and Family, Ameriprise Financial, Momcorps University in Boston, the MA Conference for Women, the Back to Business women's workshop event at Gillette Stadium, Leading Women of Central MA, Northeastern University, and Babson College.

Linda regularly presents on the topics of Professional Image and Networking Techniques.
To Inquire about Linda speaking at your event, send an email to lwaters@backtobusiness.org

Her favorite "Super Mom" moment: Closing a $5 Million dollar deal while changing a diaper!

Linda is a recent recipient of the 2009 ATHENA Award.                                                                                    

Beth Squires

    Senior Consultant

Beth Squires brings over 18 years of corporate background to her position as Senior Consultant. Beth's areas of expertise include resume writing, career coaching, personal development and relationship management. Her background in human resources adds a new dimension to our services. Beth uses her upbeat, results-oriented style to guide her clients toward clarity and success.

Beth is the mother of 2 girls and is very active in her community. As a Mom who has returned to the workforce herself, she believes that it is possible to maintain a work/life balance, and is passionate about bringing out her clients' true potential.

Beth holds an MBA from Bentley University.

Helen Kinney

    Business Development Manager

Helen is a graduate of Northeastern University. Prior to her decision to stay at home to raise her family, she was an accomplished marketing and sales executive and has held numerous customer service and marketing positions within the health care industry.

While managing an extremely busy family she also operates a home based business, has held many volunteer and part time positions which utilize her natural marketing and organizational abilities.

From her life experiences she understands the difficulty for women who want to reenter the workforce: "The greatest frustration for me was not having the resources to restart my career search and not knowing where to turn for that guidance. I also realized my knowledge of computer skills and self confidence needed help if I were to return to work successfully"

Helen believes stay at home moms re-entering the workforce are "smart, savvy and have great life experience and knowledge to offer an employer. We just need to be polished up with a set of new skills to achieve our goals."

Helen is a great resource for women returning to the workforce, and presents to Mom's clubs about things stay-at-home Moms can do now to make re-entry easier in the future.

Marie McCooey

    Training Director

Marie McCooey is an independent computer consultant. She has several years experience training users in small businesses and corporations including CVS, Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation and Cognos, Inc. She specializes in Microsoft Office products. Marie has been an adjunct faculty member at Bryant University, CCRI and Dean College. She has developed college curriculums and has authored training materials for classroom and corporate use. She has also authored many Spreadsheet Tips and Techniques articles for Business Finance magazine.

Marie also has extensive experience developing Microsoft Access databases for a variety of different single and multi user applications. Examples of database applications she has developed include legal case tracking, succession planning and training personnel management.

Marie earned a Bachelor' degree in Math and Economics from Assumption College. She earned her MBA degree from Bryant University.

Richard J. Frongillo

    Trainer

Rich loves to teach! Passionate about technology, Rich enjoys sharing his passion with adults and children. Owner of Tinetrix, Inc., a technology service and sales company, Rich spends his time solving technology problems and educating people.

Whether leading students in the basics of Microsoft Office tools or advanced computer topics, Rich presents material in a practical, hands-on manner allowing students to easily grasp technical concepts.

Rich earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Sciences from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Master's degree in Management from Lesley College. Prior to starting his own business, he worked in the technology industry for Stratus Computer, Fujitsu-Nexion, and Assured Digital, Inc.

A life-long resident of Franklin, Rich resides with his wife and four children. He has contributed for many years as a volunteer in a number of organizations serving the Franklin community. He is the co-owner of the Franklin Soccer School.

Susan Maritan

    Staff Writer

"I am so pleased to be a part of Back to Business. I look forward to working with this great team and helping women meet their career goals. From an early age I knew that writing was my passion and through my education, work experience, volunteer endeavors, training and networking I was able to follow my heart's desire into a career that allows me to balance my busy home life and my work life."

Susan earned a BA in English from Franklin & Marshall College and a MS in Human Resource Management from the Krannert Graduate School of Management at Purdue University. She worked in employee training and development at a boutique consulting firm and also served as an HR Generalist and as an Employee and Community Communications Manager for a Fortune 100 company.

Currently, Susan is a freelance writer. She has been published in the Boston Globe and Tomorrow's Child magazine. She is also working on her first novel and a collection of children's stories.